Spin-Orbit Torque (SOT): Materials, Physics, and Devices

The explosion of big data requires the development of fast and energy-efficient methods for magnetization manipulation. Spin-orbit torque (SOT), exerted by the spin current on the magnetization, originates from spin-orbit coupling effects such as the spin Hall effect, anomalous Hall effect, and Rashba effect. Compared to the classic spin-transfer torque (STT), SOT exhibits superior performance in terms of efficiency and speed. The SOT technique can be applied to develop SOT-based magnetic random-access memory (MRAM), spin nano-oscillators, microwave analyzers, true random number generators, spin logic, unique data processing devices, and more.

Guest Editors: Xiufeng Han, Guoqiang Yu, and Caihua Wan